CFA News Release
October 20, 2006

CFA calls for CWB vote

(OTTAWA) – The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), representing farmers across Canada, is calling on the Government of Canada, before it makes any changes to the single-desk powers of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), to hold a binding vote with a clear question to allow western wheat and barley growers to make an informed decision for themselves.

“There is no question the government and everyone on both sides of this debate are trying to do what they think is best for farmers. But when it comes to farmers’ marketing tools they should decide their marketing system,” said Bob Friesen, CFA President. “Elimination of the single-desk marketing power of the CWB will fundamentally and irreversibly change agriculture in western Canada. In our democracy, on an issue of this importance, the only way to determine what farmers want is to hold a fair and open vote.”

CFA policy, written and passed by its membership, has always supported the creation of farmer-empowering collective marketing tools. CFA members firmly believe the decision to create or dissolve any marketing tool must be made, not by politicians or bureaucrats, but by a majority of producers in the affected commodities and regions.

“The farmers I represent would be very concerned about any federal government action, anywhere in this country, that takes the power of decision on collective marketing tools out of the hands of farmers,” said Laurent Pellerin, President of the Union des producteurs agricoles of Quebec. “What kind of precedent would that set for the future of other farmer marketing tools here in Quebec, or in any other province?”

CFA supports the coalition of western farm organizations that are asking for a plebiscite on the CWB.

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Founded in 1935 to provide Canada's farmers with a single voice in Ottawa, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture is the country's largest farmers' organization. Its members include provincial general farm organizations as well as national and inter-provincial commodity organizations from every province. Through its members, CFA represents over 200,000 Canadian farmers and farm families.